News tagged ‘patent’

Today US patent and trademark office published a new Apple’s patent application describing methods that would enable an iPhone to take and buffer several photos before the shutter release is pressed and then automatically choose the best one.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office today published two interesting patent applications filed by Apple. One of them described embodiments of laser projection and a depth perception system.

PatentlyApple covered the patent and outlined several possibilities of using a laser source and cameras to detect the distance from an object and implement different applications based on the distance determined. The report described how Apple could use the invention, for example, in iMacs. PatentlyApple also explained how Apple could use laser projected keyboard invention (pictured above).

This month, a court dismissed Apple's false advertising lawsuit against Amazon in the legal dispute over the "App Store" trademark.

Apple and Amazon have been battling over the trademark for about two years, with Apple claiming the use of the "Appstore" name by Amazon to describe its online store for Android apps causes confusion amongst consumers and infringes upon App Store name.

In December, we reported that Apple, Microsoft and Google were potential buyers of home automation startup company R2 Studios. Today The Wall Street Journal reported that Microsoft has already acquired the company to strengthen its Xbox unit.

According to information from the Wall Street Journal, Apple, Microsoft and Google are potential buyers of home automation system firm R2 Studios, part of the id8 group, founded by Blake Krikorian. He was the founder of Sling Media, maker of the SlingBox, which was subsequently sold to EchoStar/Dish Network.

On Tuesday, a number of key patents associated with the design of the iPhone 4 have been owned by Apple that are partially credited with Steve Jobs, as well as the L-shaped connector MagSafe, and iPad with Smart Cover.

Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder, is one of those who enlisted in the United States Patent D671937, titled simply "Electronic Device". It includes the design of the iPhone 4 along with the original antenna that wa sfinally improved and replaced in the iPhone 4S.

Several Samsung senior executives were reportedly holding an emergency meeting yesterday to discuss Samsung's next moves in the case. Samsung CEO Kwon Oh-hyun not present at that meeting trying to save the company’s component supply contracts with Apple. Kwon's primary responsibility is to oversee the company's component business, a division that maintains a close relationship with Apple.

In order to put the new Lightning technology on the market, Apple had to purchase the trademark “Lightning” from the motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson. Patently Apple reports that two Apple trademark applications published by EU Patent & Trademark Office show the transfer of the trademark officially occurred on Saturday.

The arbitral court was considering Apple and Google issues which were about the infringement of patents. Bloomberg reported on Friday that details of preliminary discussions were revealed during the court filing. The two companies exchanged proposals in which they proposed a mandatory arbitration trial to reach a licensing agreement.

After HTC and Apple announced a global settlement on patent dispute between companies, some observers wondered whether this move could trigger a broader effort to settle similar disputes in the industry. Apple and many manufacturers of Android devices have been locked in patent disputes for the past years.

On Friday, the British Court ruled that Apple must pay legal fees to Samsung, after it was found that the company had not complied with the requirements of a notice on its Web site, which said that the South Korean company did not use the design of the iPad. Groklaw reported that the England and Wales Court of Appeal found the originals, posted on the Apple's website that contain inaccuracies and "false innuendo," requiring the payment of legal expenses on the basis of Samsung "indemnity "above the standard threshold.

In July, British judge, Colin Birss decided that Apple should put a notice on the home page of its website, with the announcement that Samsung did not copy the design of the iPad. The post was published, however, it was in the form of a reference to the statement in which Apple has made some changes.

The Court acknowledged that the added content has been false and distorted the essence of the decisions, especially referring to a quote by judge Birss, who heard the distinctive character of Apple products, saying it was torn out of context and "foster[ed] the false notion that the case was about the iPad."

Also in dispute was a reference to judgments through consideration of patents from around the world, including a lawsuit Apple vs. Samsung where Apple recieved $ 1.2 billion. The Court said that such inserts were "calculated to produce huge confusion" and that the notice contains "further false innuendo that the UK court's decision is at odds with decisions in other countries whereas that is simply not true."

In November, Apple was ordered to correct the notification under regulation. The decision of the Court was intended to illustrate the disapproval of Apple's behavior , especially in relation to the original order.

In conclusion, the author of the verdict, Sir Robin Jacob, offered the following comment: "I hope that the lack of honesty, resulted in this incident, a completely unique track record of Apple."

According to The Next Web’s report, Apple is acquiring Color Labs, startup, which raised $41 million of financing even before its launch last year. The company appeared as a photo sharing service that has in time transformed into a streaming video service.

With Apple’s purchase of a fingertip sensor firm AuthenTec for $365 million, there has been much speculation on how Apple might utilize the technology in its future devices. Today Patently Apple reported on a new Apple’s patent introducing an all-new unlock screen feature based on fingerprint technology.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Thursday published Apple's patent application which was filed in March 2011. The patent, titled "Detachable wireless listening device,” demonstrates a unique set of headphones, designed to withstand the rigors of athletic activity by eliminating the need for cumbersome cords.